The Alice M. Ditson Fund: Organizational Support - Fall Deadline Grant

The Alice M. Ditson Fund: Organizational Support - Fall Deadline Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Alice M. Ditson Fund
Last Updated: March 02, 2026

Summary

The Alice M. Ditson Fund offers organizational support for summer festivals and conferences focused on contemporary American classical music. This funding opportunity encourages the appreciation of works by younger, relatively unknown American composers. Eligible applicants include performing organizations and institutions that promote artistic excellence. The Fund emphasizes supporting living composers at various career stages, ensuring a broader recognition of their contributions to classical concert music. It is crucial for applicants to align their projects with the Fund's mission of enhancing public knowledge and appreciation.

Overview

NOTE: There are two semi-annual deadlines for this grant opportunity. Please see the additional relevant opportunity below. Here is the page for the spring deadline that offers support for professional performing ensembles and institutions. Organizational Support The fall deadline offers support for summer festivals and conferences. This program supports performing organizations, institutions, summer festivals and conferences whose artistic excellence encourages and improves public knowledge and appreciation of works by younger and relatively unknown, living American composers of classical concert music. What is the Ditson Fund’s definition of ‘younger and relatively unknown composers’? The Fund only supports the work of living American composers of classical concert music with an emphasis on supporting important works of composers who are younger and at the beginning stage of their career as well as music by more mature composers who deserve wider recognition and support. During each meeting the Advisory Committee will determine who best deserves support among the current applicants. What is the Fund’s definition of ‘American’? Composers with U.S. citizenship, as well as composers that have lived and worked in the U.S. for a significant period of time, are eligible. The Fund does not set rigid parameters but considers any questionable situations on a case-by-case basis. For the Fund’s purposes, “American” refers to the United States, its territories, and possessions. What is the Fund’s definition of a ‘performing ensemble’? Performing groups such as orchestras, opera companies and chamber music groups with a consistent core membership, as well as ‘flexible’ ensembles with consistent artistic leadership and identity, are considered performing ensembles. Dance companies are also eligible to apply for projects that involve live performances of contemporary American music. What is the Fund’s definition of a ‘summer festival’? Festivals of contemporary American classical concert music that take place during the summer months: June, July and August. The Fund only supports the work of living American composers of classical concert music with an emphasis on supporting important works of composers who are younger and at the beginning stage of their career as well as music by more mature composers who deserve wider recognition and support. What is the Fund’s definition of an ‘institution’? For the Fund's purposed, an institution is an established organization having an important role in contemporary music, that is not a performing ensemble, summer festival, or conference. What is the Fund’s definition of a ‘conference’? Conferences devoted to the performance of American classical concert music that take place during the summer months: June, July and August. The Fund only supports the work of living American composers of classical concert music with an emphasis on supporting important works of composers who are younger and at the beginning stage of their career as well as music by more mature composers who deserve wider recognition and support.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Organizations without non-profit status may seek support with the sponsorship of a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.Organization's located outside the U.S. are eligible to apply if they are proposing a project featuring contemporary American music.The application will require an American fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 status. Any awards will be paid to that fiscal sponsor. All financial figures in the proposal should be converted to U.S. dollars.The Ditson Fund supports contemporary American classical concert music. Educational institutions may not apply directly, but they may serve as the fiscal sponsor for projects that involve professional musicians (including faculty). Projects that primarily involve professional musicians are eligible even if some students also participate. Project that includes the music of American and non-American composers are eligible only if the music of the living American composer would be eligible for support.

Ineligibility

In general jazz is not supported. Projects including student ensembles are generally not eligible for support. The Ditson Fund does not support music education programs.The Ditson Fund will not fund indirect costs on a project, so it is advised that you do not include them in the budget.